Sirje Virkus
Papers
11
Total Citations
108
H-Index
6
About
Sirje Virkus is a prominent researcher specializing in educational technology, with a particular focus on telepresence robots (TPRs) and their transformative potential in higher education and library sciences. Over the past several years, she has established herself as a leading voice in understanding how robotic telepresence can bridge the gap between remote and on-site learners, making her work especially relevant in a post-pandemic educational landscape. Her most cited work, "Exploring the power of telepresence: enhancing education through telepresence robots" (2023, 29 citations), employs rigorous bibliometric and thematic analysis to map the evolving research landscape surrounding TPRs. Complementing this, her investigations into personnel and student perceptions across Georgian universities and library science programs reveal both the promise and the practical challenges of integrating these technologies into real educational settings. Virkus's contributions extend beyond observation — her development of the PEPCII pedagogical design model offers educators a concrete framework for deploying TPRs in synchronous hybrid environments. From evaluating camera capabilities to comparing TPRs with traditional teleconferencing tools, her research is notably multidisciplinary, drawing on psychology, pedagogy, and information science. With over 100 cumulative citations across her recent publications, Virkus is shaping how institutions worldwide approach inclusive, technology-enhanced education.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2Higher education personnel’s perceptions about telepresence robots21 citations · 2022
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- 4Keeping distance with a telepresence robot: A pilot study11 citations · 2023
- 5Aspects of Using Telepresence Robot in a Higher Education STEAM Workshop10 citations · 2022
- 6The Potential of Telepresence in Libraries: Students’ Perspectives8 citations · 2024
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